TheWendil

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

Classic Ikue, always ruining dreams.

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

The night was fresh and the air was young. It was a nice parallel to the rowdy group gathered under the darkness of the sky, all of them kept in due check by their esteemed leader. Indeed, the Sarayashiki Gang was no small force to be trifled with, not anymore at least. Where once they may have been a group of delinquents, they were now, albeit slowly, becoming a true force to be feared in Sarayashiki Junior High. Maybe that’s why Ikue threw her lot in them. Maybe, maybe.

Minato’s phone would buzz and ring just as he was finished giving his speech and catching everyone’s attention,. Assuming he’d pick up, a casual voice greeted him from the other line. “Yoooo,” came Ikue’s voice right into Minato’s ear. “Hey, don’t tell me you actually went ahead and gathered everyone? No, you didn’t, did you….ahah, man you crack me up boss!” “Worried” was using loose terms. Ikue wasn’t worried at all, not in the slightest. But in hindsight, maybe the previous call came across as that to Minato and there was no doubt he actually took her seriously. And if that was the case…

“Hey so I bet everyone’s here, right? More or less. Go ahead and put me on speaker then boss,” Ikue said smoothly. What, they didn’t she’d actually bother to come out just for a meeting, right? And it wasn’t even that big of a topic. Even so, she apologized with a, “Sorry, couldn’t quite make it. Got caught up in some business; but here I am in spirit! Oh, and if Ten-Ton wants to make a big fuss about it, tell him I’ll buy out a sushi joint just for him.” She knew damn well she was speaking loud enough for the boy to hear her, even if she wasn’t on speaker.

“So yeah, sorry, not sorry for not being there, but I guess this counts as important news.” Ikue could be heard clearing her throat over the phone and her next words sounded like she was reading off a script. It was time for business. “So like, there’s been these student attacks in Sarayashiki lately. Crazy I know, right? And you’re probably wondering, ‘Well Ikue, come on, ya didn’t have to drag us all out of bed just to tell us that. Violence happens all the time in our line of business.’ And I’d say, ‘Well of course, duh.’ But these attacks all got a pattern to them.”

She paused for dramatic effect over the phone. Or maybe she was just sipping an expensive drink. Either one could have been the case for Ikue. “Get this. All these attacks are on first years and all the evidence shows it’s gang related. There’s even rumors everyone’s favorite Student Council is trying to cover it up. Sounds like something right up our alley, eh boss?” Another pause, and this time because a realization dawned on Ikue. “Isn’t that new girl with you right now? Hah, this really is something of a coincidence. Hey fresh meat, how’s it going?” she asked Mai.

“Doesn’t this make you public target numero uno.”

---

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

I’ll post today.

Tower of Fable

The darkness of the Abyss beckoned all those nearby to be drawn further into its depths. It wasn’t long before those travelers among the Tower sprouted up and out into the Lagoon in their own ways. While some arrived just as plainly like Clair, others were indicative of their less than gathered grace. Riku was one such example, and she plummeted atop Thomas. It would have no doubt drawn out the air from him and further drown him into the one of the Lagoon’s pools.

Kanbaru was about the only one to show some care to her arrival, though that came with the territory. Wherever she swam, a mark of red followed as if something was spilled in the waters like blood. That same crimson flow grew thicker until it did resemble blood and clung to Kanbaru’s form. By the time she rose out of the waters, the red dripped off her and changed her attire until she wore more suitable clothing for the Floor. The unspoken sentiment of the JSTR was all there was an answer to any questions she might have held.

Peace and comfort would not last long; it never did in the Abyss’ wake. The shuddering of rolling water and something shaking filled the walls of the Lagoon. They vibrated harshly and the sound became louder. Something felt like it was crashing down or caving in, when in truth it was actually rising up. One of the pools, one very close to the group, bubbled and frothed as a massively smooth form towered high above them with powerful legs. Only when the water roiled down its dull form was it revealed to be a monstrous crab.

Beady black eyes focused on the group, disturbed from its slumber. A piercingly shrill noise filled the air that came from the crustacean and with its massive claw, it made to swing at the nearest person around, pincers snapping hard and taut around the air with such force it could crush bones. Its legs moved as well, slowly charging up as it stepped closer and closer to the intruders that would now soon become its prey. The Abyss was already retaliating with monsters.

---

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

If there's no activity by like Monday, I'll go ahead and post.

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

@pugbutter, @sassy1085

Given I'm the one who called you all here on the roof, I'm last.

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

I'll wait a bit for others to appear IC before getting Ikue involved.

Ark Riders, Race Across the Stars

“Pssh. Amateurs.” Wave made no attempt to hide her voice as the drones flitted away from the gathered racers. She had long since muted Claudia’s little verbal threats and cut the feed early to Rema’s show off before she got too full of herself. As expected, all of them followed their heed and arrived to the first track with little need for direction giving. That was fine by her and, given everything was running smoothly, Mevalo as well. “Alriiiiiight, we’re nearly ready to begin~”

Now that every racer was assembled, the roar of the crowd and sheer size of their scope became more apparent to each Ark Rider. Thousands of bustling fans and eager watchers filled the arena with half a thousand more drones flying around like buzzing insects to capture the sporting occasion. It might have reminded Rema of similar grand spectacles on her home planet in their eagerness for bloodshed but that was neither here nor there. “Wohoho, and look who we have today! A surprise face for this year’s grand tourney~” The crowd ooohed and awed in response.

The large monitors overlooking the mass arena revealed a helmeted figure walking back to his vehicle. The electricity in the air doubled down at once. “It’s the infamous Skull Rider! No one knows his name or his deal, but seeing him always spells doom! This high-risk Ark Rider is known for always surviving impossible situations: The Skull Rider and his Skulldugg!” The Skull Rider ignored the hype of the crowd, silently flitting to his Skulldugg, patiently waiting for the races to begin. He wouldn’t have to wait long.

“And we’re set to begin racers!” Wave announced. “The 45th Cosmic Grand Prix is set to roll so Ark Riders, start your engines!” She paused. “Brought to you by Mevalo,” she added. Mass lights above the Ark Riders’ vehicles counted down in coded coloration, from red, to yellow, and finally, to green. Time was quick and time was money, Mevalo wasting neither in burning through both. And so, the first race began, carried into the heart of Mevalo City. Naturally, the air churned with smoke thicker and blacker than oil as the Skulldugg took off first.

“Woah, what a stunning beginning! The Skull Rider takes the first leap of faith and is already speeding ahead of his opponents! But wait, what’s this!?!” Wave gasped. Indeed, the Skulldugg was already depositing a trail of splayed and scattered orbs protruding spikes in its wake. Each one latched onto the ground like a mine, perhaps magnetic in some impossible way. Whatever they were, they rested in wait for any Ark Rider daring to trail behind the leading Skull Rider.

---

Street Punk Serenade: Delinquent Days

Ikue

Appearance

¤ Name: Ikue Marada
¤ Favorite School Subject: Japanese Literature
¤ Favorite Food: Green Tea Ice Cream

¤ Reason for Fighting: Strictly speaking, Ikue is no fighter. She prefers to save that for her fellow gang members and ruffians of sinful cloth. That said, she's not above a few stab wounds either. So why does she fight? Because it's human nature. The doctrine of the strong consuming the weak, or the weak eating apart the strong is nothing short of the human spirit at its finest. Be it at the unknown levels of the corporate world or the common man in the streets, it all adds up the same to her. People fight because they must to survive, regardless of rank or title. Having fun with it is just a bonus to the salary.

¤ Background & Personality: The epitome of human nature is chaos. At the first sign of weakness or benefit to the individual, a person will backstab, gut about, lie, and betray their fellow man to get atop in life. Make no mistake; human beings will eat each other alive in some dignified but disillusioned sense of survival. It is this component that stirs them on, especially for those in great power and wealth. Ikue Marada just so happens to have both, having learned life's funny lessons through observation and personal experience. It's no secret the Marada family has quite the bit of money to their name and with it came a constant target on her back, especially for a wretched little school like Sarayashiki Junior High.

But even despite her family insistence in putting her in an actual establishment of education, Ikue persisted in devoting her time to the less than accommodating school. That was because she loved the people there. Yes, seeing life's little struggles, how the poorer, less fortunate could tear each other apart without a second thought in exchange for authority; all of it was too similar to the business world and luxury of the rich. It was fascinating to say the least and such a violent world drew her presence over to foster such a bloody environment. Of course, she was no stranger to the danger herself, but a glint of sharp steel and an instinct almost too inhumane stopped most from testing their luck.

Very shortly did she dispel the rumors and image of the "rich brat" that carried over her back. No, she was something worse. A benefactor, an employer, someone who threw money at the mongrels around her for the sake of entertainment and exploitation, only to slide away when the chaos ensued. A devil, a cheat, a liar, and a whore; money could buy any sort of thing if the heart desired it. Perhaps that was why she threw her bets and investments into the Sarayashiki Gang. Something about them caught her interest, some untapped potential.

That much proved true with their leader, someone that, for whatever reason, drew her eye above the other delinquents and street raff. Naturally her presence became a considerable backbone for the Sarayashiki Gang as Ikue is no stranger to burning green for their sake, if only to provide them with an edge over other gangs. As a result, she spends most of her time being the gang's idle benefactor in more ways than one, all too eager to sacrifice anyone and anything in Minato Ishida's personal growth and development. Whatever that means, for who knows what goes on in the minds of people who have way too much time and expense to spare. Rumor has it she's taken a personal and sudden interest in the occult, much to the benefit or disdain of those around her.

Just don't ask how the Marada family makes their coin.

---

¤ Theme ¤

Tower of Fable

[ ♫ ]

When morning came within the Dangeki-or however the passage of time flowed in the Tower-Cait was nowhere to be seen behind her bar. No doubt she was off taking one of her many “breaks” as per usual. However, the shopkeepers were still there. Emilia was as reserved as ever while Annabel finger gunned anyone who came close by in case they wanted some last minute upgrades to weapon or gear. Regardless, only one description was put on the mission board, the one the group didn’t choose before Victoire’s mansion. It had some different wording now.

Grimmest Grotto: Darkness waits at the bottom of the depths. The surface holds the dead world long since passed its expiration. Gather what you will of treasures if you must. Survival is no longer an option; there is only the exploration of a world that once was.

As soon as the group was ready to enter the only entrance and exit of the Dangeki, they’d be whisked away into the next Floor. Breathing would immediately become an issue. The world was one of water and darkness, deep pressure crushing down on frail flesh as the full depths of the grim prison they stepped foot in menaced all around. Then, the Floor adjusted, and through means of the Tower the pressure relented. They were even able to breathe in the confines of the Abyss, eventually manifesting into the heart of it.

Where once was a prison meant to contain the nightmare horrors of creatures unrestrained, it now was barely functioning as that. The sounds of ghoulish things lurked in the dark; unbeknownst to them, the corpse of a world hung above their heads. The Abyss expanded far and wide, but as it did for most dwellers and travelers, it deposited the group into the Lagoon. If the objective was simply to collect treasure and explore, then surely there was nothing to be feared in the dark depths.

---